Burch: More money for messianic morons?

Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 10:05pm

By Michael R. Burch

Tennesseans who long for peace rather than bloody, nation-bankrupting wars in the Middle East that seem to resolve nothing, may quite understandably ask why the U.S. government once gave money and weapons to Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.

Perhaps Tennesseans should also ask why our government continues to give billions of dollars in financial aid and advanced weapons to the messianic morons running Israel.

Now hold on! Who the hell am I to call Israel’s leaders such terrible things? Well, I’m only passing on information provided by former directors of Israel’s famous (or infamous) intelligence services.

Yuval Diskin, the recently retired director of Shin Bet (Israel’s equivalent of the FBI) has been quoted by the Jerusalem Post and other major news services as saying he has “no faith” in the ability of Israel’s leaders to handle the Iranian nuclear threat. Diskin accused Israel’s leaders of “misleading the public.” He also seemed to question their sanity when he told a gathering in Kfar Saba, “I don’t believe in a leadership that makes decisions based on messianic feelings.” He went on to say that “I have observed them from up close” and “I fear very much that these are not the people I’d want at the wheel.”

Diskin is not the only intelligence service director to criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking Israeli politicians. In his first public interview since retiring as director of the Mossad (Israel’s equivalent of the CIA), Meir Dagan called the Netanyahu government’s plans to attack Iran “the stupidest thing I have ever heard.” Dagan seems to agree with Diskin that the real problem is Israel’s crackpot leadership. For example, in a recent 60 Minutes interview, Dagan told Lesley Stahl that “The regime in Iran is a very rational regime” while questioning Israel’s sanity. The spymaster’s appearance on 60 Minutes was apparently an attempt to reach American policymakers in the hope of preventing yet another unnecessary war.

Benny Gantz, the chief of staff of the Israeli military, has also said publicly that Iran’s leaders are rational.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently said that there is plenty of time to achieve a diplomatic solution with Iran and has warned that the war hawks’ rhetoric is “creating an atmosphere and a momentum that may go out of their control.”

If we put all this together, it seems rather obvious that a number of Israelis “in the know” are aware that Israel’s hawks have lost their marbles (if they ever had any to begin with). It even seems possible that Diskin and Dagan may have stepped down from their posts specifically to warn the world of the dangers the hawks pose to world peace.

President Obama has been trying to find diplomatic solutions to the problems posed by Iranian nukes. But Mitt Romney has pledged his unyielding (and seemingly unthinking) support for Israel.

According to an article in the New York Times, “Romney has suggested that he would not make any significant policy decisions about Israel without consulting Mr. Netanyahu — a level of deference that could raise eyebrows given Mr. Netanyahu’s polarizing reputation, even as it appeals to the neoconservatives and evangelical Christians who are fiercely protective of Israel. In a telling exchange during a debate in December, Mr. Romney criticized Mr. Gingrich for making a disparaging remark about Palestinians, declaring: ‘Before I made a statement of that nature, I’d get on the phone to my friend Bibi Netanyahu and say: “Would it help if I say this? What would you like me to do?” ’ ”

Martin S. Indyk, a United States ambassador to Israel in the Clinton administration, said that whether intentional or not, Mr. Romney’s statement implied that he would “subcontract Middle East policy to Israel.” Other observers have called this strange behavior “the Israeli tail wagging the U.S. dog.”

In any case, this is just one in a long list of reasons that I won’t be voting for Mitt Romney in the upcoming presidential elections. Giving money and weapons to messianic morons so that they can attack Iran on the same false premises used to attack Iraq seems likely to produce the same type of results we saw when a certain messianic moron with the initials G.W.B. did his thing.

Michael R. Burch is a Nashville-based editor and publisher of Holocaust poetry and other “things literary” at www.thehypertexts.com.

103 Comments on this post:

By:yogiman on 5/3/12 at 11:20

Well, I guess we can stay home on election day, Mike. You obviously aren't going to vote for Romney (if he is elected as the Republican nominee) because he will stand by Israel, but will vote for Barack Obama because he obviously doesn't like Israel. But you agree to vote for him even though he is in the White House illegally.

And that, plus they way he has been denigrating our nation (and is still in the office illegally) I will not vote for him. So; ya wanna stay home on election day and call it even?

By:Mike Burch on 5/3/12 at 11:56

Yogi,

As I have explained before, I would rather have an intelligent Kenyan (or Martian) as president than one of the Three Stooges. Now that Romney is the Republican candidate, it really doesn't matter whether Barack Obama is American, Kenyan or an ET. He is clearly the most qualified man for president. Romney has pandered for votes to the lowest of the low in American society: bigots, homophobes, warmongers, people who want to carry loaded guns into bars and public parks, people who deny global warming, et al.

The GOP has the obvious agenda of keeping tax cuts for the richest 1% of Americans, while leaving the 99% drowning in debt while stripping them of what they call "entitlements" but which are actually things the 99% will need at some time in their lives: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.

So I will be glad to vote for an intelligent Kenyan, or a wise ET, if that will keep the Republicans from destroying the country. If you care about your country and your loved ones, you should put aside your fears and vote for the better man too.

Mike

By:bfra on 5/4/12 at 1:05

Mike - A rock could absorb more of your reply than yogi.

By:dargent7 on 5/4/12 at 3:38

Point one: Anyone conversant with "yogi" needs to have their head examined.
He's like that weird uncle we all have who sits in the corner at family functions and we don't let children near him.
Point two: Romney has made so many, serial gaffes, he's dangerous for the country.
He may know how to make money, but that's it.
He's on record as he'll bomb Iran. Put him together with Rick Perry or Michele Bachmann and WW III will start nuclear warheads and all.
Louis Farrakan believes "white people" were "invented" by a black scientist in his basement. Even if Obama was "invented", born in Kenya, or worse, born in Detroit like Romney, he's head and shoulders above the rest running for office of President.
Obama is the sharpest tool in the American shed.

By:Ummm... on 5/4/12 at 4:44

Armageddon looms because most of the world is run by those of the "yogi" mentality.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 5:54

Next yogi will tell us that he is an old President of some liars club and that makes him the expert on Israel affairs.

Like he tells us that he was a security guard at a federal prison, when he was talking about prison and how the black inmates had his back while he was bent over. Or that he was an old weatherman when he wanted us to believe that there is not any climate change. Then there is the time he said that he was an old boy scout, when he did not think gays should be a scout leader.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 6:08

This is good to here that a former director of Shin Bet is called Israel leadership messianic morons. America’s biggest problem in the Middle East other than our on moronic policies is our backing the moronic policies is Israel policy.

I hope Loner has a field day with this.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 6:18

Lets us send yogi to the Middle East as a good will ambassador. His expertise on desert life will bring peace to the world.

By:Loner on 5/4/12 at 6:22

Good morning, Nashville.

Another excellent missive from Mike Burch.

I totally agree, Mitt Romney would be a willing vassal to the Israeli Prime Minister.....BTW, Mormons believe that they are members of the "Lost Tribes" of Israel....the Mormon faith is based upon profound bullshit.....it's a wacky religion.

The US should halt US aid to Israel, divest from the apartheid entity, lay sanctions against them and boycott their products...but don't hold your breath...the entire US Congress, the Executive Branch and even the SCOTUS are all composed of Christian and Jewish Zionists...anyone who would criticize the Jewish State would never get elected to federal office in the USA...check out who got what from the Israel lobby:

http://maplight.org/us-congress/interest/J5100/view/all

Note how the Jews recently purchased Obama's old Senate seat...they financed Mark Kirk's campaign for that seat....Kirk accepted $1,023,929 from these Israel-first people.

Of course, we Americans have nothing like the Israel lobby operating in Israel - lobbying against Israeli interests and for US interests - .the Israelis would never stand for that....but those who dare to bitch about the Israel lobby bribing our federal lawmakers are branded as "anti-Semites".

Thank you Mike, for telling it like it is....thanks to the Helen Thomas effect, we do not see a lot of published articles like this one.

By:treehugger7 on 5/4/12 at 6:22

Yes, Yogi, you can stay home, and allow intelligent people to vote.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 6:27

I want to grow up to be the Village Idiot

Paul Wade-

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 6:41

Mike,

I looks like you and your fellow posters on this site are so willing to say "to hell with our Constitution". It's no more to me than toilet paper.

That piece of paper is what this nation was founded on and has been used to hold it well for over 230 years now.

But you're now saying "to hell with it". Are you and your fellow posters American or mental outsiders.

I seriously doubt if you all are going to love this nation much longer if Soetoto remains in office unless you are communist by heart and mind.

By:dargent7 on 5/4/12 at 6:47

"yogi", aka, Paul Wade, aka, "dumb-shit".
We all know by now where your head's at.
I saw your post at The Tennessean yesterday.
Even among those idiots, you stand tall.
"Usurper", holding the office of President, illegally..."
You are an embarrassment to civilized man.
No one cares what you have to yammer/ say. Not even BenDover.
Maybe BudLite, but don't count on it.

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 6:54

Loner,

All faiths are based on profound bullshit except your own. That argument holds true in all religions.

By:bfra on 5/4/12 at 6:58

No fool like an old fool! Perfect example - Paul Wade

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 6:59

When the take over comes in November we will send yogi to Siberia in the winter and the Sharia in he summer.

Embarrassment to civilized man....he is an embarrassement to insect.

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 7:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, dargent7. What is your legal right to post your points on this site but only those thinking like you should have the right to respond.

You are entitled to give your opinion on any subject, as do the others. And "the others" includes me, whether you like it or not.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 7:05

Yes Sheriff, it was shiny and bright and I saw it early in the morning. It just hung there on the horizon until daylight. No it was not Venus. I’ve seen the statue of Venus and it was nothing like that. It was round and shiny and bright and went away at daylight.

Paul Wade-

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 7:09

You are not a "others, yogi. You are a usupers(sic).

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 7:15

By: yogiman on 5/4/12 at 8:00
Correct me if I'm wrong...

You are wrong!!! You are usuper!!! You are a genuine moron!!! You are the only person on this board that flourish to be a moron, except maybe for sid the vicious.

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 7:18

treehugger7,

I would love to see intelligent people vote this next election; but where are you going to find them? Certainly not on this site.

No one who would vote for an illegal candidate can claim to be intelligent. You're just plain dumb asses.

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 7:23

dumba$$,

You're proving yourself to be a moron every time you post on this site. When this site becomes a social site I will gladly consider myself as being one in the wrong place.

No one who would vote for an illegal candidate can claim to be intelligent. You're just plain dumb asses.

This message comes from a pedigree dumb-ass.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 7:26

Sure you will, yogi aka Gordonsville Village Idiot.

By:Rasputin72 on 5/4/12 at 7:28

I have suggested to my grandson that he read these comments about articles of importance to the productive class for the past eight months.

I had no idea whether he did or not. Yesterday, he came by after school and out of the blue he said to me, "Poppa" I have been reading those comments from time to time that appear in the CITY PAPER." "Were people as envious of the wealthy when you were a boy as they are now." "I replied, I do not think so as there was a chance when I was a boy that someday you could be one of them." He then sighed and said. "Poppa I think there are a lot of people based on the commentators who support liberalism and socialism that could not become wealthy if you gave them everything from a paid Harvard education and an interview with Goldman Sachs."

He then called out the screen names of many of the 13 or 14 people who comment on this board. I patted him on the back and said, "You are probably right."

I once upon a time thought about being a college educator. Right now, I am glad I did not pursue this. I have no idea what I would do if I had a student like Mike Burch. Would you flunk him out or would you have him expelled for impersonating a student.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 7:29

Tell us about your UFO sightings, yogi. Or how you lick you dog, because she can’t do it for herself.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 7:31

LOL Rasputin Tell us another bed time story.

By:dargent7 on 5/4/12 at 8:04

Ras72: Go seek medical help, immediately.
Mike "Big Mike" Burch's articles/ columns/ editorials are always right on...if your IQ is above the pool tempurature in the condo's pool. That's the problem with you southerner's. You don't understand or comprehend. Obama is a smart as a whip. Anyone should be able to see that. And you take direction from a 12 year old? What's "Poppa" mean, anyway?
What's your people's disdain for "a Harvard education"? You think MTSU is "college"?
You southern style Republicans are the dumbest bunch of idiots I've ever come across.
Please do not cross state lines. You'll be arrested for being an upright, erect, human being.

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 8:06

How do you know I have a bitch dog, nimrod? Have you been sneaking around my barn licking on her?

Is that why she won't come back to the house when I see a car parked down there and call her?

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 8:16

Now the cars talk? Poor yogi he can't find reallity anymore.

You said it yourself the other day stupid and Loner comment on it. Or was that another one of your lies?

By:Moonglow1 on 5/4/12 at 8:18

Moonglow1: A venture capitalist (Romney) does not possess the nuanced diplomacy skills necessary to be the President of the United States. Even more frightening as per Mike's article is the fact that he would "outsource" decisions affecting the foreign policy of the United States to a foreign leader.

Mike, it would be very interesting to find out if Romney has made any money on the global arms trade.

The book I am reading titled "The Shadow World Inside the Global Arms Trade" by Andrew Feinstein details the profiteering by Lockheed, BAE, and of course our politicians by shaping foreign policy to ensure "markets" for arms, war planes, etc. Lockheed even suggested that Poland be admitted to NATO so that the company could sell them high priced (like in the billions) of arms. All the money Cheney and Rumsfeld made off the war is sickening. And remember, this is our tax $$$ going directly into the pockets of crooks.
Let's get real here. With the kind of money Romney has made, with his off shore accounts, if he hasn't yet profited from the wars he soon will if allowed into the oval office.
So, it depends how we choose to define "entitlements. " Our tax dollars supporting the global arms trade or supporting the American public (social security, etc). Seems to me, the military is sucking up all the money. And don't be misled, the money is not going to the troops, it is funding huge "commissions and bribes" to the Saudi's, Lockheed, BAE, Halliburton and to their executives or shall I say crooks.

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 8:20

dargent7,

As you have mentioned several times, we southerners have stayed in the south. So why are you damn Yankees down here to live permanently?

I believe the north would love to have some good ol' southerners up there. It might hel them intelligently learn something.

How 'bout going back home and telling them about us and our intelligence?

And by the way: A college is a school in a university compound. MTSU is just that, a university with several schools in its compound.

By:govskeptic on 5/4/12 at 8:28

Mitt Romney has pledged no more support for Israel than has President
Obama! To think a country like Israel has different speakers on the
subject of Iran and what should be done. Is that any different than most
other countries that have divided camps on most subjects, including
our own? I suggest anyone that says Iran's leaders are "Rational"
should be viewed with much suspicion!

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 8:29

Several of you "Obamaers" (Obama lovers) have made comments about Obama's intelligence compared to others. Is his intelligence the reason he can't talk without the teleprompters in giving a "talk"?

Is his "intelligence" the reason he stutters so much? Or, perhaps, it's because he's getting too far ahead in what he's trying to say?

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 8:32

Moongblow-

I have never heard of a democracy in the corporate world. The boss gives the orders and the employees do it. There is no room for democracy.

By:Moonglow1 on 5/4/12 at 8:33

Moonglow1: I am beginning to think Yogi is a Tea Nut plant to divert from real issues. He repeats over and over and over ad nauseum his "theory" about our President using the Tea Nut Palin-like playbook. So aka Paul Wade whatever continues to divert from real issues. So what to do?? Nothing. Let him rant. Let him rage. But know this-don't engage the Tea Nut Plant from the Extremist Right. Perhaps he works for Marsh Blackburn, The LightBulb Queen or for Butts and Beavers our TN legislators of Aqua Net Climate Change fame.
And Darge-I agree!! What the @@h is Poppa???? Crazy wild people here for sure. Not all of us "down here is the Southland" are so wacky nuts.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 8:34

Anyone that hears cars talk should not about intelligent. So shut up yogi, you dog lickers. LOL

By:Moonglow1 on 5/4/12 at 8:42

Moonglow1: Darge-speaking of MTSU, they are using drone technology for "science" to study crops and such. I hate to see drones in the hands of the Islamic haters in Murfreesboro!!! Again, that military industrial corporate culture-The Drone of our Existence. Muslims living in Murfreesboro-duck when the drone flies by. Or immigrants working on farms beware. Drones in the hands of Paul Wade!!

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 8:45

pop·pa /ˈpɒpə/ Show Spelled[pop-uh] Show IPA
noun Informal .
father.

So when Rasputin use the term that his “grandson” had said “poppa”, it sounds as if his grandson used the wrong wording. Or maybe Rasputin made his bedtime story up. :- )

By:conservarage on 5/4/12 at 8:45

yes, burch, we are all aware you love palestine and hate Israel to the point you've filled your web site with crappy poetry to that effect. nothing you say about israel can be taken seriously due to your prejudice, so just save it.

By:Rasputin72 on 5/4/12 at 8:56

DARGENT7......CAPTAIN NEMO............Your outrage is always one of my highlights.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 8:59

Just because Burch repeated what the former Director of Israel Shin Bet, does not mean he is in love with Palestine. Get real here conserarage, gees what is it whit the right-wing not understanding.

By:Moonglow1 on 5/4/12 at 8:59

Moonglow1: Captain, I doubt the "grandson" used or can understand terms like liberalism and socialism! The Tea's are real comedians. And, they think they live in a free society where if they make 100K per year they are wealthy.
Yesterday, Romney's wife made big news because she wore a $999 tea shirt of Fox where she and hubby presented themselves as "one of the masses. "
Why does he want to be the Pres. So he can rake in more cash and stash it is those off shore accounts.

Cash and stash - The New Romney Campaign slogan.

Yogi aka Wade- go tell that to your Tea Nut handlers.

By:MusicCity615 on 5/4/12 at 9:01

Mike,

I greatly respect your sympathy and compassion for humans as it is not seen enough in today's world.

However, I disagree with you greatly on the economy and Barack Obama is not the right now to lead this country to economic prosperity. You have a "Greece" view of how America should be, and it is not sustainable.

Please keep in mind I am in favor of taxing the 1%, but frankly, there are too many Americans that were unfairly promised outrageous entitlements that politicians created to be popular and be reelected. CNBC has a great article about how state unions are furious that they might not receive all of their benefits, even when states such as California and Louisiana are BILLIONS in the hole.

Several people were quoted in the anger saying that "they wanted to retire at 59 and receive 3/4 of their salary for the rest of their life"!!!! That is unsustainable!!

Barack Obama wants to spend, spend, spend. I respect him for his foreign affairs and his compassion for all races, but America is going down the sh!tter with his economic policies. We are $15 trillion in debt, and he wants to increase spending. I will NEVER vote for a president that does not recognize the economic cliff we are leaning over, after watching Europe already fall down.

Let's have a President that has a track record in politics (Governor), track record in the private sector (Bain Capital), and a track record at solving projects that are billions in the hole (Winter Olympics).

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 9:03

You must have a dull life Rasputin, if d7 and I are so entertaining. Get a life then. I am only here until it is time for me to go to work.

BTW I do like your bedtime stories.

By:Captain Nemo on 5/4/12 at 9:08

I know Moonglow, but let him have his little fun. lol

By:Mike Burch on 5/4/12 at 9:15

Rasputin,

At the risk of sounding arrogant, I believe I can prove you wrong.

I own a computer software company which I started as a sophomore in college. My company has made millions of dollars, so if you have brainwashed members of your family to believe liberals are unable to make money, in my opinion that raises a question about your mentoring skills.

I believe liberalism tends to increase with education and wealth. Some of our most liberal politicians were very wealthy: FDR, the Kennedys, for instance.

As for my being a bad student, I had the highest ACT score and college entrance scores in my high school's history. I majored in computer science and had the highest grades in my college's math/computer/science department (which attracted some of the smartest students on campus). I had a full academic scholarship and won another scholarship while at college for having the highest grades. I also worked three jobs and managed to start a computer company in my spare time.

I also became a published writer while still in high school, and have now been published more than 1,400 times, including TIME, USA Today, Writer's Digest (the Year's Best Writing), and hundreds of literary journals.

Most teachers would consider me a pretty damn good student.

Mike

By:Mike Burch on 5/4/12 at 9:21

Moonglow,

I'm not sure if Romney has profited from arms sales. But one of the most disturbing things about Romney is what he has said about the Middle East.. He makes it sound as if he will bomb Iran at the drop of a hat (on the same false premises that started the war with Iraq). He makes it sound as if he will do whatever his friend Bibi Netanyahu tells him to do. But Israel is a racist, fascist nation that practices apartheid and ethnic cleansing against millions of Palestinians on a daily basis. So if the US gives unconditional support to Israel, that will alienate nearly 2 billion Muslims and scare the hell out of nations like Jordan and Lebanon, because some of the more fanatical Zionists claim that Jordan, Lebanon and other neighboring countries "belong" to Israel because of verses in the Bible.

So Romney could do what George W. Bush did, all over again.

Mike

By:Moonglow1 on 5/4/12 at 9:24

Moonglow1: Music City, yes Obama has continued spending unsustainable amounts to support the Pentagon and it's outsourced defense contractors which receive huge subsidies and entitlements financed be you and me.
The social security checks that I will receive have been funded by my years of continuous full time employment and are not entitlements.
Cheney was involved in giving no bid govt contracts to Halliburton and saw his personal wealth rise from about one mil to $60 mil. Over the 7 Yrs that Cheney served as VP, Halliburton was awarded more than $20 BILLION in contracts. Many on no bid basis. During this time the company was fined for over charging the govt and for using misleading accounting practices. This is how it's done in Washington-a revolving door between the defense industry and politicians. And the dumba masses don't get it. And so it goes. We celebrate people because we think they actually "earned" their wealth in a free market. But no, they did not. They have and continue to benefit from tax payer subsidies-directly from the taxpayer into their pockets and $$$ in off shore accounts. And the Bush administration was the worst.

By:yogiman on 5/4/12 at 9:26

Moonglow1,

My argument over Barack Obama (if that's his legal name) isn't a theory, it's a fact. If you was as intelligent as you obviously think you are, you would actually want to know the facts about a person being in the Oval Office. Or doesn't being there legally mean anything to you?

If, as you think, Obama is in that office legally, can you explain why has he refused to prove his eligibility to the public from the beginning. Can you explain why he argued John McCain should be questioned about his eligibility but refused to be questioned himself? Can you explain why he has every item of fact about himself under lock and key? Didn't think so.

But Another question: If he did repatriate to American citizenship after being adopted into Indonesian citizenship, by what law did he regain his natural born citizen status?

You can't regain your natural born citizen status, Moonglow1. You can only regain your citizenship through naturalization; and that ain't natural born.

And to through another little thought to you, Moonglow1, don't be too surprised when it's determined he isn't a US citizen.